Inside the Phillies with MLB.com beat writer Todd Zolecki

Lee Excited to Join Phillies

Cliff Lee met with reporters this afternoon in Anaheim. He and Ben Francisco are expected to join the Phillies tomorrow in San Francisco.

Lee could pitch Friday or Saturday against the Giants at AT&T Park.

Here is some of what he had to say:

“Obviously, I’m going to miss all these guys here, but it’s an opportunity for me to help a team that’s in first place and is the defending world champion. As far as that goes, I’m excited. But I’ve got to figure out how to get there and meet up with them and get acclimated to their team. It’s exciting. It’s kind of neat knowing Benny’s going with me, so I don’t have to do it all by myself.

“I don’t really complicate things much. I just want to give them a chance to win every time I take the mound, put up as many zeroes as I can and go as deep in to the game as I can. I’m going to have to learn how to get a bunt down more consistently. Other than that, it’s the same game. Obviously, different players. But I don’t think it will take long for me to get used to those guys and get to know those guys. I’m anxious and excited to get started.”

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14 Comments

Great response! He’s going to fit in well with our pitching staff. Ruben is a genius. He got the Ace he promised and didn’t have to give up any significantly developed prospect. Forget the Toronto Boo Jays. They can have Halladay. Now we will see Happ pitching more relaxed tonight. That fear of leaving a team he helped put 7 games up in the NL East for a team that has to play the Redsox, Yankees and Rays a few dozen more times is gone. He’s virtually guaranteed to be with the team the next 2-3 seasons. Happ WILL win the NL Rookie of the Year!! GO PHILS!!!!!

While I like the deal, I have concerns about trading that much talent for a rental. If the Phillies resign him great, if not they would have been better off parting with the trio for Halladay and gotten a year and a half.

The Phils traded a bunch of guys who might never had played for them, and now they have a fresh start in Cleveland as “the guys we traded for Lee.”
I’m expecting our fans to give Lee a warm welcome next week at CBP.
grotycom: Expect Carrasco to get a quick call-up, and if they trade Martinez, the same for Marson.
erichh1: Expect Happ to wind up in the bullpen, making the ROY thing a bit difficult.

While I like the deal, I have concerns about trading that much talent for a rental. If the Phillies resign him great, if not they would have been better off parting with the trio for Halladay and gotten a year and a half.

billze, the Phillies have Lee for the same amount of time that they would have had Halladay. I would have made the Halladay deal too, but this is not a rental. He’ll be in the rotation next season as well, at over 6 million dollar less on the payroll which can be used to add to the bench and/or bullpen.

C’mon billze, do you think they would have gotten Halladay for the group they sent the Indians? “That much talent?” Be serious. At least 2 of those guys were never going to play for the Phils, and the others are prospects.
Why would you assume it’s a “rental” situation? Lee has 2010 left in his deal, and if he pitches like he should, the Phils will re-sign him. If not, then they’re better off with somebody else.
Unbelievable. Some people are never happy.

muleman, if you think Happ is going anywhere near that bullpen, you are crazy. His value is as a starter where he has amassed impressive numbers not just for a rookie but for any pitcher. Why in the heck would they not put their best 5 starters out there every week. Unless they don’t want to give the team the best opportunity to win, then I could see Happ in the bullpen, but I have confidence that they will do the right thing. Pedro has pitched well in the bullpen before and he will again. They didn’t build in those relief incentives in Pedro’s contract for no reason.

muleman, I hope you’re wrong about Happ ending up in the bullpen. hollywoodhamels35, I hope you’re right. The fact is that they DID get Pedro to start and may be obliged to do so. We’ll have to watch this closely….

bvielhaber, don’t worry, he’s in good hands. He’ll be given a lot of slack from the fans (not that he will ever need any) because of the adjustments he’ll have to make and he’s only replacing Lopez, not Happ. Don’t believe what you hear or read about Phillie fans. We aren’t those retarted Eagles fans who are trying to run McNabb out of town. We will 100% support Cliff’s starts at home. He will pitch like C.C. did for the Brewers last year; you’ll see. He has GREAT stuff and will face one fewer great hitter (DH) in the NL. Thanks for the support. We will also be rooting for those prospects that you have to turn into the everyday players we know they can be. In four years your GM might look like a genius for doing this, even though h’ll probably be fired soon. Good luck rebuilding the Cleveland Indians!

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